Treasures of the Long Dark: Learning from the Land

11301 Neelsville Church Road,Germantown MD 20876

05 December, 2021

Description

Treasures of the Long Dark: Learning from the Land As winter arrives in our region, trees become bare, frost settles on lawns, and creatures leave familiar landscapes for the comfort of their dark burrows. In the winter, it’s easy to think that the “natural world” is stagnant, dying or dead. Yet at Wild Earth gatherings we’re cultivating a greater connection to the natural world, increasing our capacity to appreciate the hidden treasures of each season. We know that darkness isn’t synonymous with stagnation; it is a requirement for certain growth to take place. Spiritual masters through the ages have embraced this natural dichotomy. They've taught that darkness is a gift for our own inner landscapes. So why do we often turn our backs to it for a quick dash to the light? Darkness can be a place of holy ripening, a sacred incubator where holy vibrancy lives and informs us. We can use spaces of dark to grow just as equally as spaces in light. How might this wisdom help us navigate inner darkness? What practices might help us when we are in a season of long darkness? All are welcome. See you there. Sarah Please arrive by 2:45. We will begin and end promptly this month! Please register so we can keep you updated with any changes. LIABILITY Your attendance at the event is understood to hold The Wild Earth Spiritual Community and its leaders harmless in case of illness, accident, or injury. LOGISTICS/DETAILS Gathering Times 2:45PM - Arrival and Drum circle begins. Please bring a drum or percussion instrument if you would like to join in. 3:00 PM - WESC begins. Please plan to arrive 5 - 10 minutes early as there is a 10 minute walk to our spot. What to bring: Camp chairWeather appropriate clothingSturdy shoesWater and snackBlanket for warmth Covid requirements: COVID Screening Questionnaire Are you experiencing any of these symptoms not caused by another condition: fever (above 100.4 degrees F) or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, recent loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea? Within the last 14 days, have you: 1. Had contact with anyone that you know had COVID-19 or COVID-19-like symptoms? Contact is being 6 feet (2 meters) or closer for more than 15 minutes with a person, or having direct contact with fluids from a person with COVID-19 (for example, being coughed or sneezed on). 2. Have you had a positive COVID-19 test for active virus in the past 10 days? 3. Within the past 14 days, has a public health or medical professional told you to self-monitor, self-isolate, or self-quarantine because of concerns about COVID-19 infection? If you answered yes to any of these questions, postpone your visit until you receive a negative COVID-19 test or until two weeks after your symptoms have passed. Directions – Look for the large DAYSPRING sign, enter there and follow the “Wild Earth Spiritual Community" signs. Please see the specific driving directions below. Parking – Please park by the Farmhouse, found right after you enter the grounds. Look for "Wild Earth Spiritual Community" signs. Someone will be there to greet you. From the parking area, follow the signs to the trail leading to the gathering site. There will be signs marking your way on the 5 to 7-minute walk (on varied terrain). To make the pathway easier to navigate, you can drive to the gathering site and drop off your drum and chair, then return to park at the Farmhouse. ***More accessible parking is available if needed – If you are concerned with the walk to the gathering site, there is limited parking closer to the site. You can park on the road just beyond where we gather. Restrooms – NOTE: It’s best if you use the restroom before you arrive since the only working lavatory is down steep steps in the Farmhouse basement. Look for "Restroom" signs. There are no longer restrooms available near the gathering site. You must wear a mask while using the Farmhouse restroom. Weather – We will gather regardless of the weather unless it is dangerous. If the weather turns, we will email you all by 9:00 a.m. on Sunday morning to clarify the plan. Filming and Photos – We would like to take photos of the program to post untagged on our website and Facebook page. Please let us know if you would rather not be photographed. Latecomers – If you don’t see us in the parking area, please follow signs for "Wild Earth Spiritual Community" to our gathering location. Contributions – We will be collecting donations to support our work in organizing these free, monthly Wild Earth Spiritual Community gatherings. We are so grateful for your contributions and for making it possible for us to continue offering opportunities for deepening one's spirituality in nature. Feel free to email Sarah with questions or call Sarah's cell (301) 807-8209 until 2:40 pm on Sunday with last-minute questions. DIRECTIONS TO DAYSPRING: From eastern MoCo and Howard County: Take the Intercounty Connector (200) to 270 North. Travel north on 270 to exit 15 A, for Rt. 118 North. Take 118 North through several stoplights to Rt. 355, Frederick Rd. Turn left on Rt. 355, heading north, and take a quick right on Neelsville Church Rd. Travel about a mile on Neelsville Church Rd. and turn left at the sign for Dayspring. From DC area: Take the Beltway (495) to 270 North. Travel north on 270 to exit 15 A, for Rt. 118 North. Take 118 North through several stoplights to Rt. 355, Frederick Rd. Turn left on Rt. 355, heading north, and take a quick right on Neelsville Church Rd. Travel about a mile on Neelsville Church Rd. and turn left at the sign for Dayspring. From the North: Take 270 South to exit 15. Turn left on 118, heading north. Take 118 North through several stoplights to Rt. 355, Frederick Rd. Turn left on Rt. 355, heading north, and take a quick right on Neelsville Church Rd. Travel about a mile on Neelsville Church Rd. and turn left at the sign for Dayspring. From Baltimore: Take 70 West to exit 68 for Rt. 27. Follow 27 south to Rt. 355, Frederick Rd. Turn left on 355, Frederick Rd. Turn left on Shakespeare Blvd. Turn left on Neelsville Church Rd. Travel about half a mile on Neelsville Church Rd. and turn left at the sign for Dayspring.